19 replies to this topic

[ryujdream]

Hey guys!

I started out with this plastic track stuff since I just got into knex coasters. Well its not very useable. So I have bought 250 Y neon green tube connectors so I can get into tube track coasters. Before I buy any high priced tube (since its rare I guess) I thought I might try finding an alternative. What are the diameters of the "normal" tube ( Ss and rr)?? Outer and inner or if anyone has it or can measure....

I'm planning on looking at home depot to find some tubing. I'm sure its much cheaper! I would take some sort of double cutter (2 razor blades space a little apart??) to cut out a thin strip so that the tube lays flat and to eliminate any bumpy ness. Has anyone tried this or have any input? Also is 250 enough to start with for track connectors?


Thanks and love the site!

**** moved this from the "new members" forum*******
****Update!! - Tutorial Below!*******

Ryujdream

[ryujdream]

Stay tuned. I have found a perfect solution this issue and will be reporting it soon!!!! Its a fantastic solution financially too. One 25ft tube...... $2.85.... drill bit.... $6.50 as opposed to $25 - $30 plus shipping on eBay! :'(

Will post pics tomorrow (Thursday) and I can't wait to get your opinions. ( even the hatters)




Ryujdream

[Jogumpie]

You got me curious.

[Josh Monster]

Whats wrong with SS tubing, other than that it is expensive? Can't wait to see what you came up with.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

If you find an easy way to split it so the slit is not twisted on the tube this could be fantastic. I just think the tooling to do that will be expensive to create.

Still think of how cheap it could be .... Red Polyethylene Tubing 1/4" O.D. and .040" wall | U.S. Plastic Corp.

AHA, you really sparked my interest so with a little searching I found a company that would be able to produce/sell exactly what we are looking for. I am sure the minimum buy would be large so if anyone pursued this they would most likely have to go in the KNex tubing selling business. But if you are motivated.... Looks like method B in the split tube section is what we would need and would be cheaper. Basically they run round tubing through a blade as it comes off the extrusion machine.

http://www.tpextrusi...cial-tubes.html

[Dragon]

you can try to mak a bigger tubing and make it works on a cross tie so the wheels will fit perfectly and will give some speed for the car

[ryujdream]

OK GUYS here it is. Now its been a while since i posted on any forum so we will see how this turns out with pictures and stuff! PLEASE feel free to try out other methods or use this method to try it out for your self. ALL I ASK is that you share so we can all keep learning as we go into the "post production SS" era lol.

How to make your own Coaster Tubing

Tools/Supplies (All items were purchased at Home Depot)

1. "Watts" Polyethylene tubing 1/4' x .170' x 25 ft = $2.82 x 2 (This tubing is almost identical to what knex uses but is a little more flimsy... but still solid enough for coaster building. I thought about like fish tank tubing but that's flimsy and i think you would have to use tons of cross ties to keep it stable. With this tubing, its more like high pressure tube so its simi stiff.)

2. Dremel 3/8' Disk Shape H.S. Cutter (Its like a tiny saw!) = $6.34 (I will tell you the importance of this exact tool in the tutorial)
3. A friend to help pull the tubing

Tube

Tool

Friend

Tutorial:
So here is what and how i pulled this off.


Step one: First you have to make something that you call pull the tube though that will also keep it straight. Your helper will have to be very careful not to twist the tube and keep it going so you dont have a spiral cut. What i did was take three long gray rods, 2 cross tie track pieces, a block of wood, and some duct tape and assembled all the pieces to create a "run though". The tubing fits perfect in the cross tie piece circle cut out in the middle!! (I plan on making a more "solid" piece soon)



Step Two:

Ok here is the fun part. First run the tube like the picture shown then crank up the dremel/drill. You need a steady hand an lots of time because you cant just rip the tube though because it will cut all crazy. Now the reason you are using this type of saw is because the original SS tube has a slit CUT OUT of it so you cant really just cut the track with a knife. If you do i dont think it will lay flat so using this saw takes a chunk out of the tube so the cross ties lay flush with the chunk you took out of the tubing. Also this dremel bit is small enough that unless your pushing down you wont cut the opposite side of the tube!! Thus only taking a chunk out of one side.



Step three: Saw the chunk out of the tubing until you reach the end!! It creates a mess so do it somewhere (like i did in the garage) so you can sweep up b/c you will have tons of eat up plastic everywhere!! If you helper goes slow then you can cut right in the middle and have a uniform line down the center of the tube.


(I know its hard to see but this is what you end up with.

Step four: now you can attach the tubing to your cross ties. What i think its brilliant about this idea is that if you mess up.. its not a biggie... you can just cut out the crappy parts and throw them away because... THE TUBING IS CHEAP!!!!



So that is how i made the tube. I have put it on a stretch of track i have and it seems to work really good!! (Sorry no pics) I plan on using this tubing for like the station or the lift hill... just in case and save the "good stuff" for loops and fast banks (just in case).

Please please let me know what you think and feel free to add your pics to the thread. I did see a post talking about "Just use the SS tubing" well its getting sparse it seems so i had to come up with something or deplete my bank account on tubing... so i tried the cheap way first!! ALso i wanted to add that the reason i am adding all this for you guys is because ya'll have inspired me to build some awesome stuff (Jasper launch, hanging coasters, building techniques, etc.) so i feel the need to give back!


RyuJDream

[ryujdream]

If you find an easy way to split it so the slit is not twisted on the tube this could be fantastic. I just think the tooling to do that will be expensive to create.

Still think of how cheap it could be .... Red Polyethylene Tubing 1/4" O.D. and .040" wall | U.S. Plastic Corp.

AHA, you really sparked my interest so with a little searching I found a company that would be able to produce/sell exactly what we are looking for. I am sure the minimum buy would be large so if anyone pursued this they would most likely have to go in the KNex tubing selling business. But if you are motivated.... Looks like method B in the split tube section is what we would need and would be cheaper. Basically they run round tubing through a blade as it comes off the extrusion machine.

Specialist plastic tubing made to order in different materials

WOW!! Where was this hiding! I have searched over and over for something like those diagrams!! Thanks for adding to this topic.

RyuJDream

[rollercoasterfanatic919]

Really cool! The ultimate test will be that of time, however. You'll have to tell us how it holds up, if it warps, or anything else. Great idea still.

[LaMbChOpZ]

I was looking into purchasing a lot of blue polyethylene tubing about the same size, but realized before I purchased it that I would have to make the track perfectly straight with no twists in it at all. I figured out it would would be extremely hard for me to do. Nice to see you're having luck.

Good luck with this!

[alpal]

Wow, I never thought of this! This opens the opportunity to have different color tubing. Imagine the possibilities. No longer would we be bound to red, purple, blue, and yellow (rare, but it is available).

[ryujdream]

So far so good people. Ya you could get any color you wanted! If not you could always paint it b/c if you screw it up.....its cheap. Also its not to difficult to keep your cut straight.... just time consuming. Check out pics below

[timtimlaz]

Just one question. Why are you using the micro pieces for your track? And it also looks kind of bumpy.

[ryujdream]

Well i have 4 micro track coasters (because i didnt know any better!!) And 1 SS. I have another SS comming along with parts from RR (track and some bendy pieces. So i have learded how to use micro pieces to build strong structures. Im prob going to just use them for support ect.

Ya it is bumpy but i have to wait for more cross ties as i got alot of track to go for my plans lol. I assume that will smooth it out. As far as the track i made... its pretty close to the purple track. Kinda sucks getting it into the cross ties but i have a technique.

Also this is my first coaster with Ss track systems. But still way better then micro crap...i mean track. ( but thats my opinion )
RyujDream

[Snake]

This looks great. If it doesnt work good with cars it could be used for center tubing.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

If you are going to pursue slitting your own tubing it is worth spending more time making a tool to do it quicker and more consistently. The dremel is a good idea, I would think an abrasive cutoff disk would work well on soft plastic and would make a cleaner cut. You want to make something hold the dremel in place perfectly. I also think a hot knife would do a good job at this. I would also use a much longer run of cross ties (which was a great idea by the way) to keep the tubing even straighter. If you are unspooling tubing off a roll directly and not pulling it off one end of the spool or using old tubing it should stay straight easily. I would make something to hold the spool as well.

Wery interesting idea. Good luck.

I have a lot of experience finding things on the net. If it's there I can usually find it.

[SandyMan]

I don't often discuss things online, but had to registered here to thank you for posting this thread. I just made 50 foot of track in about 10 minutes, after setting up my jig. Here are some pictures of my jig, not industrial grade, but it worked very well.

I sat directly across from the dremel at eye level pulled with my left hand as I fed with my right hand. I found that checking that the printing on the tubing stayed in the same orientation to the dremel disc worked well for staying centered.

Not sure why the pictures are so small...

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Edited by SandyMan, 18 January 2013 - 09:59 PM.

[Jogumpie]

The pictures are that small because SSC's attachments don't work properly just yet.

[soggyhotdoggg]

the gallery works perfect for me. It's really easy to use which is a good thing. that is a really good idea. maybe you can try that for slim track;)

[XmanConstruction]

I made a splicer. Does anyone want me to make a professional splicer?